Rumors fly fast and furious, and debunking them happens almost as quickly.
Baseball fans were briefly giddy after former Minnesota Twins infielder Trevor Plouffe tweeted that he heard a second round of spring training was set to begin June 10, with Opening Day following weeks later on July 1.
But that info was quickly debunked by reporters, with [MLB Network’s Jon] Heyman offering further clarity Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately for baseball-hungry fans, Heyman reported that July 1 might be an optimistic start date and not a very likely one.
“The alleged July 1 start date for an MLB season would be wonderful; they’d love to begin then (or close to then), but while there’s hope, things aren’t as certain as that. MLB is still hearing conflicting info from politicians and doctors, and health concerns remain the priority,” Heyman tweeted.
I didn’t realize this.
More at the link, if you subscribe to The Athletic (which has been offering various discounts to its normal rates all month, if anyone’s interested).
Perspective on reopening soccer in the UK, from US sports historian who lives there. https://twitter.com/MattLMcDowell/status/1262778079535136769?s=20
Did y’all know that Willie Davis, the Three-Dog, never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot?
Nobody seems to know why, either. Certainly not the HoF itself.
That’s outrageous. He’s only in the very very good category, but certainly deserved to appear on the ballot.
Is there a precedent for playing through a plague? https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/What-sports-can-learn-from-Spanish-flu-about-15270767.php?t=9e4b7a5645
Didn’t turn out well, either.
Among other problems, a possible complication for both MLB and the NBA. So long, Blue Jays and Raptors? https://twitter.com/alixabeth/status/1262246450249060354?s=20
MLB has been arguing about the DH since 1892. The NL came closest to it in August 1980.
If it ever happens, it will be too soon.
LA Orioles! https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/the-story-of-the-los-angeles-browns-changed-baseball-forever
Brown-headed Cowbirds…
Fascinating alternate history!
Well, the Baltimore Dodgers actually exist, so there’s that (plays in Cal Ripken’s college wood bat league)
MLB.com is bored, so its Will Leitch tries to determine who’s the coolest player on each team.
Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr., OF
As a general rule, the more a player irritates your grandfather, the cooler he is. A pro tip!
Leitch on SF: “I hope gno Gnatfans will be offended that this was probably the most difficult team to find someone on in all of baseball” (edited here for misspellings).
This will be amusing. Houston Mitchell of the Times says:
The link to vote is at the bottom of the article.
The SC players are amazing. Pitchers alone include Walter Johnson, Don Drysdale, Jim Palmer, Dan Quisenberry, Scott McGregor, Mike Scott, Stephen Strasburg, Mike Krukow and Larry Dierker (and more).
The North could have a whole outfield of DiMaggios.
https://twitter.com/DustinNosler/status/1259898571949670404?s=20
Sounds dubious to me. https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/1259319319625752577?s=20
MLB is choosing each team’s historically-best player at each position. Here are center fielders, with links to the posts for catchers, first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops and left fielders.
The Dodgers’ best CF is Duke Snider. Three-dog Willie Davis is second, Matt Kemp is third, Pistol Pete Reiser is fourth and Brett Butler is fifth.
Not COVID-19, but still sad news. https://twitter.com/MickJagger/status/1259159305657475073?s=20
From Jayson Jenks at The Athletic:
The best the Pads could field. https://twitter.com/castrovince/status/1259107260716011520?s=20
Baseball is a reassuring presence. In these moments, however, its absence is more reassuring.
Sigh…
The best thing about this article is the title! No news is no news indeed,,,